For the second time in three years, Bell ExpressVu is introducing a new signal encryption system which the company hopes will thwart pirates from stealing its satellite television signals.
The transition by Bell to the new encryption system is now in its second stage and requires many ExpressVu subscribers to remove the Conditional Access (CA) SmartCard inside their satellite receiver with a new one.
In the first stage of the transition to the new encryption system, ExpressVu issued new firmware updates to all Bell direct-to-home (DTH) satellite receivers. These firmware updates were sent out by the company at night to selected receivers without any intervention by the subscriber.
ExpressVu SmartCard
In the second step of the update process, ExpressV
sent a letter in the mail to affected subscribers which included a new upgraded Conditional Access (CA) SmartCard, which looks similar to a credit card, and instructions on how to swap their cards.
Swapping the SmartCard on ExpressVu receivers is usually a simple process. On most ExpressVu receivers, the SmartCard is located at the front on the left hand side. The card fits into a small slot and, depending on the model, is either exposed or behind a protective panel.
The subscriber just removes the old card and slides in the new one. Some ExpressVu receivers may not have a SmartCard in the slot so the subscriber simply slides the new card in the free slot.
Once the new card is in place, customers activate the new card online or via a toll free phone number. Bell says it will then take approximately 15 minutes to 2 hours for programming to return to normal.
The company is encouraging subscribers to replace and activate the new Smartcard in the given time limit or they'll see a message telling them that it's critical to replace and activate their SmartCards. Failure to do so will eventually result in their programming be turned off.
Backgrounder on Encryption
Simply speaking, Encryption is the digital process of modifying data to to prevent unauthorized access or viewing of the information. The process of transforming the data back into a format that is readable is called decryption.
To defeat pirates from stealing their broadcasts, digital cable and satellite television providers, such as ExpressVu, encrypt the signals prior to transmission. Once the signals reach the subscribers homes, the encrypted signals can only be decrypted by an authorized digital set top box or satellite receiver.
With ExpressVu, the SmartCard essentially holds the magic key that allows your satellite receiver to decode the encrypted signal. Without a properly authorized SmartCard, subscribers won't be able to watch television.
Why is Bell introducing a new Encryption scheme
Since the last encryption scheme update in 2005, the ExpressVu and Dish Network systems in the United States, have been seriously compromised by satellite pirates who are using inexpensive Free-to-Air (FTA) receivers to illegally watch ExpressVu and Dish programming.
Last year, the Carmel Group estimated that more than 2 million homes in North America were pirating Bell ExpressVu and Dish Network Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television signals.
The new encryption scheme is an attempt by ExpressVu and Dish Network to shut down the satellite pirates.
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